Batting

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Tennessee Tech softball team allowed only
three earned runs over two games on Sunday, but couldn't get the
offensive support it needed, losing a pair to Morehead State.

The Golden Eagles entered the weekend locked into the 2012 Ohio
Valley Conference Championship Tournament, but could have moved up
slightly in the standings with three wins. As it stands, however,
Tech finished sixth in the regular-season standings and will face
Jacksonville State in the first round of the tournament, hosted by
regular-season champion UT Martin.

Tech opened Sunday with the longest active winning streak in the
OVC at four games, but that was quickly snapped as Morehead State
took game one 5-1.

Senior Holly Thomas got the starting nod for the Golden Eagles,
but was pulled after 2.2 innings of work. She did not allow an
earned run and struck out three while giving up four hits. The
Eagles scored four runs in the second, two with two outs, with the
help of two Tech errors.

MSU would tack on another in the fifth with a double and a
single to take the five-run lead.

Senior Whitney Cummings and sophomore Kendall Hooper opened the
top of the seventh with back-to-back singles. After a pair of
strikeouts, freshman Hannah Eldridge singled up the middle to score
Tyler Templet, who pinch ran for Cummings. Sophomore Cassie Garrett
then singled to load the bases, but all three runners were stranded
as the Eagles forced a flyout to end the threat.

MSU's Katie Pfost earned the win, fanning eight and allowing six
hits and one run.

The Golden Eagles struck early in game two as junior Melody
Christian singled, stole second, and came in to score on a wild
pitch.

The Eagles responded in the second as Amber Riddle blasted a
solo home run to left to tie the contest. They would go on to score
three more runs over the next two innings, utilizing three Tech
throwing errors.

Tech rallied in the top of the seventh once again, as
back-to-back singles by Hooper and Brittney Spalding, as well as a
MSU error, put two runners in scoring position. Freshman Angi
Sakamoto then belted a single down the right field line, driving in
two and cutting the lead to just one.

Morehead State's Pfost came in to pitch and was able to strike
out the next two batters to seal the game at 4-3.

Junior Claudia Harke took the loss for Tech, giving up two
earned runs and three hits. She struck out four in her four innings
in the circle.

Jami Whitcomb picked up the win, allowing two runs on four hits
in 3.1 innings.

The Golden Eagles open tournament play Thursday against
Jacksonville State at 10 a.m. in Martin, Tenn. Check back to
TTUSports.com for coverage.